Vitamin D and Body Weight: A Ray of Sunshine

In the battle of the bulge, small steps to fend off weight gain can add up. Benjamin Franklin famously said "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Nothing could be more true when talking about pounds of body fat! Fortunately, there are ways to help manage weight gain. To foster healthy---or healthier---body weight, one step you can take is to help your body have adequate vitamin D.

Vitamin D and belly fat, muscles and height

Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia studied 650 teens (aged 14-19). According to UPI, the teens "who reported higher vitamin D intakes had lower overall body fat and lower amounts of the fat in the abdomen." Abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat (or belly fat), is associated with many unhealthy outcomes. These negative outcomes include hypertension, diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Plus, let's face it: belly fat is the number one "extra" people would like to be rid of.

Not only did people with higher vitamin D blood levels have less overall fat, and less belly fat, other studies showed that good vitamin D levels helped adolescent girls gain muscle power. Vitamin D was even associated with being taller.

The sunshine vitamin

Vitamin D also goes by the delightful moniker, "the sunshine vitamin." This is because our bodies make vitamin D when UV rays from the sun hit our skin and activate a chemical process. Sunshine is the only natural source of certain forms of this important, health-giving compound.

Since many people find that getting some sunshine gives them a boost in their sense of well-being, obtaining this vitamin can be an enjoyable and even relaxing process. Our bodies store this compound in our body fat.

Those winter "sun" vacations really are healthy

According to Worldhealth, in winter, "it's impossible to produce vitamin D from the sun if you live north of Atlanta because the sun never gets high enough in the sky for its ultraviolet B rays to penetrate the atmosphere."

So, it's true: now you can say with conviction, "I need that winter trip to a Caribbean island so I don't gain weight." Okay, I'm just kidding. Because it's stored in the body, vitamin D is not something we absolutely have to take in every day. Which, in the end, is a good thing . Unless, of course, you really are trying to justify a tropical cruise in February.

The fact is: we do store up vitamin D for a "rainy day." And vitamin D is available in foods, such as the fatty fish, salmon, and in fortified dairy products. Still, when the sun is shining, why not take time to go out of doors and stock up on this health-boosting compound the natural way? About ten minutes, during the time the sun's at its highest in the sky, is a good boost for most people.

Insufficient vitamin D may cause fat accumulation

Whether your body weight is just right or not where you'd like it to be, when it comes to fending off weight gain, vitamin D may help. Enjoying the drench of the Sun's rays, eating more fish (say,adding some delicious salmon to your diet), or drinking more D-enriched milk---these are small steps that may really add up in your effort to manage weight gain.

*** Want your vitamin D the natural way? Stock up on vitamin G while you're at it and add stress relief to your weight management plan.For more helpful tips, check out :Avoiding Weight Gain: Stand Up for Yourselfand
Watermelon Juice and Weight Loss: Recipe for Success.

Sources:

"Lack of vitamin D may be linked to obesity," UPI.

"Vitamin D fosters growth, healthier weight," Science Daily.

"Vitamin D Tied To Muscle Power In Adolescent Girls," Science Daily.

"Time in the Sun: How Much Is Needed for Vitamin D?," Worldhealth.